BIKERELIABILITY Reg check
League table/ Ajs 18S/vs Suzuki GSF600
Head-to-head · 2005–2025

Data as of: DVSA MOT results to 2025

Ajs 18S vs Suzuki GSF600

The Ajs 18S passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF600: 92.8% vs 77.3%, a 15.5-point lead.

MOT reliability, side by side

first-time pass rate, outright fail rate and tests analysed · 2005–2025
Metric Ajs 18S Suzuki GSF600
First-time pass rate 92.8% 77.3%
Outright fail rate 3.0% 14.2%
Engine size 500cc 599cc
Rank among all models #330 of 5428 #4013 of 5428
Median miles at test 14,829 21,080
MOT tests analysed 598 143,023
Most common failure lighting and signalling brakes

First-time outcomes on normal tests, 2005–2025. "Most common failure" is the component group with the most recorded defects on failed tests. Read pass rates against test counts: a smaller sample is noisier. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What fails, side by side

share of each bike's MOT tests that failed on the component · lower is better
Component Ajs 18S Suzuki GSF600
Lights & signalling 1.8% 6.7%
Brakes 0.5% 6.1%
Steering & suspension 1.2% 3.6%
Tyres & wheels 0% 3.3%
Structure & body 0.2% 1.5%
Drive system 0.2% 1.4%
Fuel & exhaust 0.2% 1.2%

A test that fails on two components counts once in each. Component links go to the bikes most likely to fail on it.

Pass rate by test year

first-time MOT pass rate in each calendar year both bikes were tested
Test year Ajs 18S Suzuki GSF600
2006 95.6% 81.8%
2007 97.5% 80.0%
2008 95.8% 78.4%
2009 88.2% 75.8%
2010 88.6% 75.8%
2011 89.6% 76.1%
2012 93.3% 75.9%

Each year mixes bikes of different ages, so a fleet that is getting older tends to slip.

Pass rate by mileage

first-time MOT pass rate by miles on the clock at test
Mileage Ajs 18S Suzuki GSF600
0k-10k miles 93.2% 86.8%
10k-20k miles 97.2% 80.1%
20k-30k miles 90.5% 75.2%
30k-40k miles 88.6% 71.3%
40k-50k miles 92.6% 69.4%
50k-60k miles 84.4% 68.3%

Bands with fewer than 30 tests for either bike are left out.

Ajs 18S vs Suzuki GSF600 FAQ

answers computed from the data above · terms in the glossary

Which is more reliable, the Ajs 18S or the Suzuki GSF600?

The Ajs 18S passes its MOT first time more often than the Suzuki GSF600: 92.8% vs 77.3%, a 15.5-point lead. An MOT checks roadworthiness items, not engine or gearbox internals.

What does the Ajs 18S fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 1.8% of Ajs 18S MOT tests failed on it, then steering & suspension (1.2%).

What does the Suzuki GSF600 fail its MOT on most?

Lights & signalling: 6.7% of Suzuki GSF600 MOT tests failed on it, then brakes (6.1%).

Which holds up better at high mileage, the Ajs 18S or the Suzuki GSF600?

At 50k-60k miles the Ajs 18S passes first time more often: 84.4% for the Ajs 18S vs 68.3% for the Suzuki GSF600.

See each bike's full report (trend, mileage curve, failure breakdown and rivals) on its own page.